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ITS PURCHASE 

AND IMPROVEMENT 








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BYRD PRINTING COMPANY, ATLANTA. 



ANDERSONVILLE 
PRISON PARK. 



REPORT OF 



Its Purchase and Improvement, 



ACCOMPANIED BY 



A PLAT OF THE GROUNDS, MADE FROM 
ACTUAL SURVEY. 



COMPILED BY JAMES P. AVERILL, 

Chairman Advisory Board, 
ATLANTA, OA. 



BOARD OF MANAGERS, ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PROPERTY. 

LizABETii A. TuKNEK, Chairman, Boston, Mass. 
Annie Wittenmyek, Sanatog-a, Pa. 
Emma R. Wallacp:, Chicag-o, 111. 
Sarah D. Winans, Toledo, Ohio. 
Causta R. Jones, Bradford, Vt. 



EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS. 

James A. Sexton, Commander-in-Chief G. A. R. 
Flo Jamison Miller, National President W. R. C. 
Frank L. Shepard, Commander-in-Chief S. of V. 
James Atwell, Commander Ex-Prisoners-of-War Asso- 
ciation. 



ADVISORY BOARD. 

James P. Averill, Past Department Commander, G. A. 
R., Atlanta, Ga. 

Thomas Frame, Superintendent National Cemetery, 
Andersonville, Ga. 

W. W. DeHaven, Past Commander Post 5, Macon, Ga. 



CARETAKER. 

Capt. W. Wilson, Andersonville, Ga. 



Note. — A limited number of these pamphlets may be 
obtained b}" transmitting- twenty cents per copy (to cover 
the cost of publication), to James P. Averill, P. D. C. 
G. A. R., Atlanta, Ga. 



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O.A.a. Mdqirg. 

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ANDERSOINVILLE PRISON PARK. 




UCH an increasing- popular demand 
has developed for a history of the 
Purchase and Improvement of the 
Prison Grounds at Andersonville, 
Georg-ia, that, in compliance there- 
with, the following- is respectfully 
submitted. The accompanying- plat 
is drawn from actual survey, made 
by F. Reimann, civil eng-ineer, and 
the illustrations are from photo- 
g-raphs taken under the supervision 
of the author. 

ESTABLISHING THE ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL 

CEMETERY. 

In accordance with Special Orders No. ly, Quartermaster- 
General's Office, June 30, 1865, Capt. James M. Moore, A. 
O. M., l\ S. A., proceeded to Andersonville, Ga., for the pur- 
pose of marking- the graves of Union soldiers for identification, 
and enclosing the cemetery. I'>om his report to the depart- 
ment, Septeniijcr 20. 1865. the following interesting- facts are 
obtained : 

Capt. Moore left Washington July 8, 1865, with niech.anics 
and material, for the purpose of carrying out the order. On 
arriving at Savannah, he ascertained that there was no rail- 
road communication to Andersonville, the roads from .Savan- 
nah direct to Macon and the one from Augusta, via Atlanta, 
having been destroyed by Sherman's army and not yet 
repaired. He also found tliat a sufTficient numl^er of teams 
could not be found in the State to transport one-half of his 
stores and equipment over the nearly four hundred miles of 
wagon road. He was, therefore, ol)liged to await the com- 
pletion of the repairs on the railroad from Augusta to Atlanta, 
which was accomplished by July i8. After a trip of six days 
he arrived at Andersonville. 



/ 



b ANDER.SONVILI.E PRISON PAKK. 

( )n tlic morning' of July 26, Capt. Moore began the work 
of identifying the graves, painting and lettering head-boards, 
laying out walks, and enclosing the grounds, which are now 
known as Anderst)nville Xatit)nal Cemetery. 

Assistance was rendered by one company detailed from the 
P'ourth U. S. Cavalry and one from the One Hundred and 
Thirty-seventh, U. S. Colored Troops, established at Macon. 

The dead were found buried in trenches on a site selected 
by the Confederates, about six hundred yards west of north 
of the stcK'kade. The trenches varied in length from fifty to 
one hundred and fifty yards. Tlie bodies in the trenches were 
from two to three feet below the surface, and, in some in- 
stances, but a few inches, v/here rains had washed away the 
earth. Additional earth was thrown upon the graves, suf^- 
cient to properly cover them, and continuous mounds were 
made over each as it laid in the original trenches. So closely 
had the unct)fiined and emaciated remains been buried, that 
each grave occupied but little over twelve inches in width, and. 
conseciuently, the small tablets, provided by the Government, 
measuring ten inches in width, nearly touched each other. 

The prisoners at Andersonville had been detailed to aid in 
burying their dead companions, and, by a stake at the head 
of each grave, which ];ore a number corresponding with a 
similar num])ercd name upon the Andersonville Hospital 
Record, kept l)y the Confederates, Capt. Moore was enabled 
to identify and mark the greater portion of them bv neat 
wooden tablets. 

It is a satisfaction to know that reasonable assurance can 
be placed upon the correct identity of those thus marked. 
The nnmber thus properly identified by Capt. Moore and his 
competent assistants, with naiue, rank, regiment, companv 
and date of death, was twelve thousand, four hundred and 
sixty-one (12,461), there being but four hundred and fifty-one 
(451) that bore the sad inscription, "Unknown." One hun- 
dred and twenty thousand feet of pine lumber was used in 
the construction of these tablets, which have since been 
replaced by neat marble head stones, similar to those now 
in\use in all of the National Cemeteries. A copv of the 
record was made and entrusted to the keeping of the Super- 
intendent of the Cemeterv, so that visitors are enabled to find 



ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PARK. 7 

the grave of anyone whose remains were properly identified. 
Subsequently a large number of prisoners of war, who had 
been buried at Macon, Columbus, Thomasville and Albany, 
and the remains from various battlefields, were transferred to 
the Andersonville Cemetery. 

The Government secured the title to the soil in which these 
sacred dead were buried, including a strip of e(|ual width ex- 
tending to the Central of Georgia Railroad. The cemetery 
proper contains twenty-five acres, divided by a main avenue 
running through the center and subdivided into blocks and 
sections. Walks have been laid out; the ground cleared of 
stumps and stones; trees, shrubbery and flowers planted; 
drain tile laid; the graves and entire grounds sodded with 
grass and enclosed with a thick, ivy-covered brick wall; a 
tasty brick residence for the Superintendent erected, with con- 
venient outbuildings and arbors; a flag-staf¥, from which 
daily floats the National colors, and thus the sacred spot has 
been transformed into a beautiful city of the dead. On every 
Memorial Day, impressive ceremonies are conducted l)y G. 
A. R. posts of the Department, attended by large concourses 
of people, and, from amidst the thick verdure of the trees, 
daily requiems are chanted l)y sweet-voiced feathered song- 
sters. 

ANDERSONVILLE AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

At the time of Capt. Moore's visit, in the summer of 1865, 
there was but one house at the railroad station known as 
Andersonville, besides the hospitals, officers' quarters and 
commissary and quartermasters' buildings used by the Con- 
federates, which were about in the same condition as when 
abandoned, a few months prior. The stockade, also, 
remained almost entirely intact. Capt. ]\Ioore thus describes 
it in his report: 

"The noted prison pen is fifteen hundred and fortv feet 
long and seven hundred and fifty feet wide, containing twen- 
ty-seven acres. The dead-line is seventeen feet from the stock- 
ade and the sentry boxes are thirlT)^ yards apart. The inside 
stockade is eighteen feet high, the outer one twelve feet, and 
the distance between the two is one hundred and twentv feet. 



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ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PARK. 9 

Nothing has been destroyed. As our exhausted, emaciated 
and enfeebled soldiers left it. so it stands to-day. * * * The 
ground is filled with holes where they had burrowed, in their 
efforts to shield themselves from the weather, and many a 
poor fellow, in endeavoring to protect himself in this manner, 
was smothered to death by the earth falling upon him." 

The Superintendent appointed for the Cemetery was in- 
structed to "Allow no buildings or structures, of whatever 
nature, to be destroyed, particularly the stockade surrounding 
the prison pen." This precaution, however, (doubtless for 
the reason that the real estate upon which they rested 
belonged to private parties), availed nothing. In the course 
of time, the buildings all disappeared. The stockade, also, 
gradually melted away, much of it being utilized for fuel, 
and large portions carried off by relic hunters, in the shape of 
canes, etc. A considerable portion of it remained standing, 
however, for over a quarter of a century, but now nothing 
remains but the stumps under ground, from which the lines 
may easily be traced. These are mostly pitch pine, which will 
last under ground for an indefinite time, unless disturbed. 

THE ACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA 

G. A. R. 

Thousands of the survivors of Andersonville prison and 
their friends, who visited the memorable spot after the War, 
expressed their keen regret that some steps were not taken 
to secure the grounds and preserve and perpetuate them as a 
fitting and lasting memorial to the heroes who suffered there. 
Influenced by this popular demand, action to this end was 
finally taken by comrades of E. S. Jones Post No S- of 
Macon. Department of Georgia, and to them credit is due. 
in large measure, for the successful results. 

At the meeting of the Department Encampment, held at 
Augusta. January 24, 1890. E. S. Jones Post No. 5 introduced 
a resolution asking that the Post have the assistance and co- 
operation of the Department. The resolutions were referred 
to the Council of Administration. Avhich, at a meeting held 
the same date, appointed a committee to devise means for the 
purchase, preservation and improvement of the Andersonville 



10 ANDERSON VILLE PRISON PARK. 

Prison properly. At a meeting: held at Savannah, May 13, 
the coniniittee were directed to purchase the prison property, 
on wliicli they had secured an option from the owner, which 
they did. a few days later, making a partial payment. The 
Council then directed the incorporation of the Department 
(which was soon thereafter accomplished), and appointed a 
Board of Control to take char,2:c and to solicit further contri- 
butions to complete payment and start needed improvements, 
which action was endorsed by the Commander-in-Chief. The 
Board of Control, elected July 10, 1890, consisted of the fol- 
lowing^ comrades: John W. Stone, Post No. i, three years; 
I. D. Crawford, Post No. 5, three years; Isaac Beckett, Post 
No. 3, two years; L. E. Doolittlc. Post No. 2, two years; Geo. 
N. Graham, Post No. 4, one year. 

The original purchase of land by the Department of Geor- 
gia consisted of about seventy-two and one-third acres (to- 
gether with a right-of-way, one hundred feet wide, leading 
toward the railroad station), including all of the stockade, 
excepting a small portion of the north-west corner, and the 
forts and earthworks around it. The price paid for it was 
$1,500. The improvements, made during the first year, cost 
$1,500, making a total expenditure of v$3,ooo. These improve- 
ments consisted of clearing the entire grounds from under- 
growth, leaving the large trees standing; planting a hedge 
around the property (which proved a failure and was subse- 
quently mostly removed) ; planting a hedge around eighteen 
of the old water wells on the prison grounds, which remain, 
well preserved, from twelve to twenty-five feet deep; clearing 
and grading a belt roadway around the entire outer limit of 
the purchase, and building two substantial bridges across the 
creek; cleaning out the creek and driving piling at the eastern 
end, to prevent washing away of earth after heavy rains; grad- 
ing a central avenue from the one hundred feet right-of-way 
on the west line, across the grounds to the east line, and 
an avenue leading from it to "Providence Spring." 

The responsibility which had been assumed by the Depart- 
ment was a very grave one, and was accompanied by a great 
deal of anxiety as to the final result. The Board of Control 
worked earnestly and imremittingly to secure the funds nec- 
essary to pay the indebtedness on the property and secure a 





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ande:rsonvii,le prison park. 13 

deed. In this they were ably assisted by Department Com- 
mander A. E. Sholes, (in 1891), and by Commander Thomas 
F. Gleason (in 1892-3). The latter, after indefatigable efforts 
during the two years of his administration, had the pleasure 
of announcing at the Encampment, held at Savannah, 
March 19, 1894, that the Department was out of debt. 
For this satisfactory condition of affairs, credit was due, not 
only to appreciative comrades throughout the country, who 
had liberally contributed to the worthy cause, but especially to 
that noble army, the Woman's Relief Corps, who have never 
yet failed to respond promptly, when appealed to in the inter- 
ests of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of all those who 
made such heroic sacrifices, in the dark days, to save the 
Union. The ofBcers of the Georgia Department, realizing 
that it would be a most difficult, if not impossible, task, in 
their weak financial condition, to carry out the improvements 
at Andersonville in a manner worthy of the cause, had made 
vain efforts to induce the National organization to accept a 
transfer of the titles and assume the responsibilty. Steps were 
then taken to influence the National Woman's Relief Corps. 
While the proposition to take charge of the Andersonville 
Prison property was strongly advocated by several leading 
women of the order, who had made a personal investigation 
as to its merits, the prudence and good judgment which has 
always characterized this association, led them to hesitate 
until the matter was fully and carefully considered. 

ANDERSONVILLE ACCEPTED BY THE NATIONAL 

W. R. C. 

At the Twenty-ninth National Convention of the Woman's 
Relief Corps, held at St. Paul in August, 1896, a committee 
from the Georgia Department urged the matter again upon 
them, and they were so ably seconded by the committee of 
women who had been selected to investigate and report upon 
it, that the convention unanimously adopted the following: 

"Resolved, That we accept, as a sacred trust, the Anderson- 
ville Prison property, on the conditions proposed by the De- 
partment of Georgia, G. A. R." 

The conditions named were, simply, that the organization 



14 ANDEKSONVILLE PRISON PARK. 

would accept the title, free of incumbrance, preserve the 
grounds, improve them in such manner as they were able, and 
render them a fitting and lasting memorial to the memory of 
the heroes who had suffered there. 

As an evidence of the hearty enthusiasm with which this 
trust was accepted, innuediately after the adoption of the reso- 
lution, voluntary coiUril)Utions to the fund were made by a 
number of ladies present, aggregating $1,865.50. A com- 
mittee of ladies visited the National Encampment of the G. A. 
R., then in session, and communicated the action of the con- 
vention. The announcement was received with enthusiastic 
applause and the following resolution was passed: 

"Resolved, That we heartily commend the patriotic and 
generous action of the Woman's Relief Corps, in providing 
for the permanent preservation of the site of the Anderson- 
ville prison." 

The following active "'Board of Managers of the Anderson- 
ville Prison Property" was immediately elected: Lizabeth A. 
Turner, Chairman, Boston, Mass.: Annie Wittenmyer, Sana- 
toga, Pa.; Emma R. Wallace, Chicago, 111.; Margaret R. 
Wickens, Sabetha, Kan.; Charlotte J. Cunmiings, Tidioute, 
Pa. With characteristic energy, this board went to work. A 
deed was properly drawn and executed, placed on record and 
forwarded to the chairman, and an appeal was made, through 
general orders, by the W. R. C, for further contributions. 
Subsequently, Mrs. Sarah D. Winans, of Toledo, O., was elect- 
ed to succeed Mrs. Wickens, on the board, and Mrs. Calista R. 
Jones, of Bradford, Vt., succeeded Mrs. Cunnnings. 

PROGRESS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS. 

At their Annual Corvention at Buffalo, N. Y., in Septem- 
ber, 1897, the National Woman's Relief Corps elected the 
following comrades of the G. A. R. as an "Advisory Board," 
to act with the Board of Managers: James P. Averill, Chair- 
man, Atlanta, Ga.; Thos. Frame, Superintendent of National 
Cemetery at Andersonville; W. W. DeHaven, Macon. To 
this board was delegated the responsibility of carrying out 
details, under the direction of the Board of Managers, as well 
as to act in an advisory capacity. As only about $3,000 had 



ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PARK. 15 

been paid into the fund, the utmost economy had to be used, 
and money expended, at the outset, for what seemed to be 
the most pressing and necessary. The first important item 
of expense was about $350.00 for the purchase of an addi- 
tional fourteen and one-half acres, to include the north-west 
portion of the stockade, which all previous efforts had failed 
to secure. With this addition, the total purchase consists of 
eighty-two and two-tenths acres, which includes, not only the 
stockade, but all of the forts and earth-works surrounding it, 
and the roadway to the public road leading to the railway sta- 
tion. These old forts are perfectly preserved and are over- 
grown with fine young forest trees. 

The entire property has been enclosed by a Page wire fence, 
in the most substantial manner, with convenient gates, at a 
cost of over $600.00. Al^out one hundred feet north of the 
.north line of the old stockade, a substantial nine-room resi- 
dence has been erected, occupied by the care-taker, and 
commodious enough for the entertainment of such visitors 
as may require accommodations. This, with a substantial 
stable and other accessories, cost over $2,000. One of the 
sleeping apartments has been tastily furnished by individual 
members of the W. R. C, of Alassachusetts. for the especial 
use of such visiting comrades as can ill afford to pav for such 
accommodations. The reception room has been handsomely 
furnished, at a cost of $100, bv contributions from the Depart- 
ment of Illinois, W. R. C. 

Comrade Wm. Wilson, of Post No. i. Atlanta, has been 
installed as care-taker, who, Avith his hospitable wife extends a 
cordial welcome to all visitors. 

The old stockade has been planted with Bermuda roots, at 
a cost of $117, and will soon become an expanse of green 
sward. Along the creek bottom is a tangled growth of 
bushes and briars, which is being removed. 

On Memorial Day, 1898, a beautiful flag-staff was erected, 
one hundred and fifteen feet high, within \he line of the old 
stockade and immediately in front of the superintendent's res- 
idence. From its peak floats, daily, our beautiful National 
emblem— a gift from the Prisoners of War Association of 
Connecticut. The staff is a contribution from Colony 
Woman's Relief Corps No 2, and comrades of the G. A. R., of 



16 ANDER.SONVILLE PKTSON PARK. 

Fitzgerald, (la., and cost about $150. The flag was first raised 
with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, immediately after 
the memorial exercises at the cemetery. 

The graceful arch, bearing the inscription, "Anderson- 
ville Prison Park," erected 'Tn Memory of the Unknown 
Dead at Andersonville," at the main entrance on the 
west boundary of the grounds, and at the beginning of the 
one hundred feet right-of-way leading to the railway station, is 
a gift from W. R. C. No. 9, Department of Kansas, and W. 
R. C. No. 172, Department of Massachusetts. 

The total amount disbursed by the National W. R. C up 
to January t, 1899, is four thousand, three hundred and fifty 
dollars ($4,350); expended previously by the Department of 
Georgia, G. A. R., three thousand dollars ($3,000), making a 
grand total of seven thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars 
($7,350), of which $1,850 was expended for the purchase, and 
$5,500 for improvements. 

The Board is entirely out of debt, and propose to remain so. 
Improvements will continue to be made only as the funds are 
received to pay for them. A nominal salary is being paid 
monthly to the care-taker, who is also allowed to 
cultivate small tracts of land outside the old stockade. The 
plan is being considered of planting fruit and nut trees on a 
portion of this land, which will not only beautify it but become 
a source of considerable income. 

WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE. 

There is much yet to be done, in the way of tile-draining 
the creek bottom, and completing the clearing out of vines, 
briars and brush ; also, in the way of terracing, grading and 
building culverts, in order to protect the premises from the 
washing away of earth and the formation of unsightly gullies. 
A few hundred dollars expended in this way, and a little atten- 
tion thereafter, would give a convenient approach to every 
point of interest by carriage-drive, and permanently preserve 
it. The tile-draining of the creek bottom and clearing of 
undergrowth, would render easy of access one of the most 
interesting features of the stockade. A number of perpetual 
springs now flow from the blufTs, across this bottom, into the 
creek, which renders the ground soft and boggy. 



ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PARK. 19 

"PROVIDENCE SPRING." 

Probably the most interesting feature of this most interest- 
ing locahty is what is known as "Providence Spring" — so 
appropriately named by the heroes of Andersonville. 

The story is universally familiar, and will ever live in his- 
tory — of how, when the famished prisoners had reached that 
moment when they realized that they could no longer endure, 
with nauefht but the contaminated waters of the creek to 
sustain them, during a severe electric storm, this liv- 
ing stream broke forth, bright, pure and sparkling, bringing 
renewed life and hope. Skeptics and philosophers may easily 
explain its appearance from natural causes, yet it will always 
be recognized as an especial evidence of the infinite power 
and mercy of a Divine Providence. 

Not only was it providential that this supply of pure water 
should come at this opportune time, but also that it came from 
within the "dead line," where, by the prison laws, it was pro- 
tected from being trampled and defiled. Let it be perpetually 
preserved as a lesson and inspiration to all future generations. 
It is flowing still, as in days of yore, ready to refresh all in 
need who come. 

It has been suggested that this historic spring should be 
covered by a marble pavillion, with tile roof, tiled flooring and 
marble basin, with appropriate inscription, and constructed in 
as substantial and elaborate a manner, and of as beautiful a 
design as possible. It is now protected by a temporary 
wooden building, which is anything but ornamental. It is 
understood that the National Prisoners of War Association 
intend making a liberal appropriation for this purpose. It is 
hoped that other kindred organizations will join them, and 
that the object will be accomplished within the coming year. 

A MONUMENT OF GRANITE OR BRONZE. 

When practical matters, of importance to the proper pro- 
tection and preservation of the premises, have been attended 
to, it is probable that an appeal will be made for designing 
and erecting a suitable granite or bronze monument, with 
appropriate inscriptions. The site proposed for it is near the 
north line of the stockade, well elevated, which commands a 
delightful view over a wide expanse of gracefully sloping hills 



20 ANDEKSONVILIvE PKISON PARK. 

and verdant valley. It is hoped that Congress will soon take 
action in this matter, and make a reasonable appropriation for 
the purpose. Also, that a joint commission will be appointed, 
from the several states whose sons were represented among 
the heroes at Andersonville, to secure state appropriations. 

The of^cial records show the distribution among the states 
to be as follows, of those buried in the cemetery: 

Alabama 15 

Connecticut ^04 

District of C()luml)ia 7 

Delaware 41 

Illinois 889 

Indiana 653 

Iowa 209 

Kansas 3 

Kentucky 444 

Maine 250 

Maryland 1 85 

Alassachusetts 767 

Michigan 653 

Miimesota 79 

^lissouri 106 

New Hampshire 1 54 

New Jersey 207 

New York 2.504 

North Carolina 20 

(^hio 1 .055 

Pennsylvania i ,84c) 

Rhode Island 74 

Tennessee y2^ 

Vermont 249 

Virginia 54 

West Virginia 228 

Wisconsin 256 

Colored Troops 25 

U. S. Army and Xavy 557 

Service unknown 159 

Totally unknown 991 

Total ^^-7^0 

About six hundred of the "unkiunvn" were not anions the Andersonville prisoners. 



ANDERSONVILI^E PRISON PARK. 21 

According to an investigation made by Comrade Geo. G. 
Russell the hospital records show that 17,873 patients were 
registered, and that 823 of these were exchanged and about 
25 took the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, leaving 
17,025 to be accounted for, giving a mortality of 76 per cent, 
of those who entered the hospital. Besides the registered 
dead, several were killed while attempting to escape. An un- 
known number also perished by the falhng in of excavations 
which they had built for shelter, and the sacred bones of 
many of these still remain buried within the stockade, where 
thev died. Besides those now resting in the cemetery, several 
hundred were removed by their friends, after the close of the 
war, to other cemeteries. The greater number of deaths oc- 
curred within the stockade at the time of the crowded condi- 
tion during the summer of 1864, when the prisoners num- 
bered from 25.000 to 35,000. 

The names and number of those who suffered a thousand 
deaths within the stockade, and yet survived, should be added 
to the grana total of martyrs. 

NATURE AIDS THE CAUSE. 

Although satisfactory progress has, thus far, been made, 
much yet remains to be accomplished in order to carry out 
the plans of the Board of Managers and to satisfy their lauda- 
ble ambition to transform this sacred spot into a fitting me- 
morial. It is the desire to render it as beautiful and attractive 
as possible, where generations yet unborn may come to pay 
homage to one of the noblest bands of heroes in the world's 
history and receive patriotic inspiration. 

Nature has done and is doing its best to aid the efforts that 
are being made, as though to express her warm sympathy 
and full approbation. She has covered, with a mantle of 
bright green, all of the sombre features of the past. Her fertile 
soil responas lavishly and lovingly to the efforts to beautify 
the grounds. The creek, which then ran darkly through the 
stockade, now sparkles and dances, clear and pure, in the 
sunlight, never ceasing, inviting us to banish all unpleasant 
memories of the past and accept the joy of the present — the 
joy and peace which the suffering at Andersonville did so 
much to bequeath to us. 



DESCRIPTIVE OF ANDERSONVILLE PRISON AND 
ITS SURROUNDINGS. 



L Care-taker's House, Erected by the National W. R. C. 

2. "Providence Spring." 

3. Site of Proposed Monument. 

4. Outline of Purchased Property. 

5. Outline of Stockade, Enclosing Prisoners. 

6. Outline of Outer Stockade. 

7. "Dead Line.'' 

8. Confederate Forts and Batteries. 

9. Main Fort, or "Star Fort," South-west Corner. 
10. Site of Gallows, Where Marauders Were Hung. 
1 1. Powder Magazines in "Star Fort." 

12. Site of Capt. Wirtz' 'Headquarters. 

13. Gate to Roadway Leading to the Cemetery. 

14. Wells and Tunnels Dug by Prisoners. 
1 5. Site of Dead House. 

16. Entrenched Camp f6r Guards. 

17. Roadway, 100 feet wide, Leading to R. R. Station, 

18. "Stockade Creek," a Branch of Sweetwater. ^ 

19. North Gate of Stockade. 

20. South Gate of Stockade. 

21. Flag Staff. 

The small railroad station of Andersonville is about one-half mile 
west of the stockade, the intermediate space being traversed by the 
line of Macon and Sumpter counties, the stockade being in Macon 
county and the village in Sumter. Near the railroad station was 
located Gen. Winder's headquarters and barracks and storehouses 
for the Confederate troops. Along the line of the creek were located 
stables and outbuildings from which the waters of the creek were 
greatly contaminated before entertng the stockade. On the margin 
of the creek, near the stockade, were also located the bakery and 
cook house. A short distance to the west of "Star Fort'' still stands 
a large hickory tree which was used as a post of observation to watch 
the prisoners within the stockade. The hospital was located a few 
rods south of the stockade. The plot of ground (now the National 
Cemetery) where the dead prisoners were buried, lies about one- 
quarter of a mile north of the old stockade. 



PLAT OF ANDERSONVILLE PRISON GROUNDS. 



(Made from Actual Svirvt-y.) 



[copyrighted- I 




PLANTING THE FLAG AT ANDERSONVILLL. 

(MAY 30th, 1898.) 



By MRvS. ANNIE WITTENMYER. 



Wo lift Up the banner of freedom to-day, 
And let the world know that due honor we pay 
To liberty's martyrs, who starved for the rig-ht. 
And crown them, with heroes who fell in the fig"ht. 

Their chalice of woe was filled up to the brim ; 
They drank to the dreg's, with hig-h courage and vim, 
Nor faltered, nor wavered, but loyal and true, 
Stood firm by their colors, the red, white and blue. 

The earth was their pillow, their covering the sky. 
And thousands laid down on the bare ground to die ; 
No artist can paint, no pen tell the story, 
Of all they endured for love of "Old Glory." 

The Lord, in compassion, took note of their grief, 
And came, in His majesty, to their relief; 
He rode on the wind where swift lightenings played. 
And hallowed the ground where the prisoners laid. 

They panted with thirst, ere the Presence passed by. 
But flashes of glory lit up the dark sky ; 
A thunderbolt fell, with omnipotent ring-. 
And opened the fountain of Providence Spring. 

And peace came at last. Ah ! for thousands too late ; 
We mourn, as a people, their pitiful fate, 
And hold the ground sacred, our care and our pride. 
And plant the flag over the place where they died. 

But the Nation is saved ! they died not in vain ; 
Our people are all re-united ag-ain. 
From ocean to ocean — the lakes to the sea — 
One country, one people, one flag of the free. 



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